Nikola Pekovic | Center | #14

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The Timberwolves waived Nikola Pekovic on Tuesday.

The last time Pekovic was able to take the court was January 6 of 2016, and it's looking like that might end up being his final NBA game, as he hinted back in December that he was contemplating retirement. Assuming calling it quits is the next step, he will end his career with averages of 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Jun 20 - 5:13 PM

"I don’t think so," Taylor said. "I mean, that’s for him and his doctors but just listening to what the doctors have told me and what he has said, I’m not expecting it in our plans going ahead. We won’t rely on him." Pekovic hinted earlier this season that he may retire from the game of basketball due to chronic ankle injuries, so this shouldn't catch anybody by surprise. Apr 9 - 9:54 AM

"Two years ago I struggled with my injury, I was mentally exhausted," Pekovic said. "This year I was there for two months, I tried to do everything possible, but there are times when you simply can’t. I can not run without pain." Pekovic has already been ruled out for the 2016-17 season, but he has one year left on his deal and is owed $11.6 million in 2017-18. It's a sad turn of events for Pekovic and the chances of him playing in the NBA again appear to be very slim. Thu, Dec 29, 2016 09:59:00 AM

The Timberwolves officially announced that Nikola Pekovic (right ankle) will not play during the 2016-17 season.

Previous reports suggested that it is "highly doubtful" Pekovic will play again in the NBA due to his chronic ankle injuries. Insurance will cover his salary for this season, and the Wolves will likely negotiate a buyout for the $11.6 million he's owed in the final year of his deal in 2017-18. Minnesota signed free agents Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill this summer, improving their depth despite the loss of both Pekovic and Kevin Garnett. Sun, Sep 25, 2016 10:15:00 PM

Depth Charts

Tom Thibodeau said that Nemanja Bjelica (foot) will be a "critical piece" for the Wolves next season.

Thibodeau also said that Bjelica has been rehabbing at the Timberwolves practice facility this summer, but didn't offer a firm timetable for his return. Bjelica suffered a navicular bone fracture to his left foot in March, but if he continues to rehab without experiencing any setbacks, there's a chance he'll be ready for the start of his 2017-18 campaign. It sounds like Bjelica will earn quality minutes with the Wolves next year, but as long as Gorgui Dieng is healthy, it's unlikely Bjelica will earn enough minutes to warrant standard league consideration.

Justin Patton underwent successful surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot on Tuesday, and he is being listed as out indefinitely.

Patton was taken with the No. 16 pick in the 2017 NBA draft (the pick that was acquired from Chicago in the Jimmy Butler trade), so this is an unfortunate start to his career in Minnesota. He'll obviously miss all of summer league, and unfortunately, this is an injury that tends to involve a very slow recovery process; so we might not see Patton make his NBA debut until very late in the season. As of right now, he's completely off the radar in all re-draft formats.